Calling its 21st Century Cures program “an innovation game-changer,” the U.S. Energy and Commerce Committee has developed legislation to modernize the nation’s health care infrastructure via both domestic patient treatment and global biomedical leadership.
Over the last three years, the committee began a bipartisan attempt to support innovative biomedical research aimed at applying laboratory-gained insights to therapeutic treatment of disease. The results form the basis for H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. The bill was passed in the House and currently awaits Senate approval.
This legislation’s hallmarks include research and clinical trials; collaboration with the FDA to streamline progress with legislation and device review; patient participation empowerment; preventive countermeasures such as biomedical vaccines; and universally accessible electronic health records.
Research incentives include motivating scientists via prize competitions and encouraging more customized treatment via the Precision Medicine Initiative, in addition to supporting ongoing research -- especially high-risk/high-reward projects -- and expediting drug development for rare diseases, such as rare childhood conditions.
21st Century Cures is designed to address regulatory oversight along with scientific improvements in keeping with global health and political events. Innovation will play an important role in U.S. health care as scientists and government leaders collaborate to address evolving needs with breakthrough medications and technologies.
The U.S. Energy and Commerce Committee takes responsibility for developing legislation on interstate and global commerce, the generation and conservation of energy output, and travel and tourism, as well as consumer protection issues.
